A-frame exercise rack system

ABSTRACT

An A-frame exercise rack system includes a plurality of first side support bars, a plurality of second side support bars, a at least one top bar, and a plurality of connection joints. Each of the plurality of connection joints includes a first plate, a third plate, and a second plate. The first plate includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate. The third plate includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate. The first and third plates may be parallel relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top bar channel. The first and second support bar plates of the first and third plates may be parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first and third plates thereby defining spaces for receiving first and second side support bars.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional application of prior pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/880,869, filed Sep. 21, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to exercise equipment. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to an A-frame exercise rack system.

2. Description of the Related Art

Exercise rack systems are known in the art. Existing exercise rack systems vary in size and configuration. However, these varying exercise rack systems do have a similarity in that they do often share an overall rectangular shape when viewed from a side, such as exemplified by the exercise rack system depicted in FIG. 1. A section of the exercise rack system may include side two support bars connected by a connection bar member. The side support bars may conceptually form the sides of the rectangle, the connection bar member may conceptually form the top of the rectangle, and a floor surface may conceptually form the bottom of the rectangle. Second and additional sections of the exercise rack system (each including side support bars and a connection bar member) may be connected by additional connection bar members to form a cube having the overall rectangular shape when viewed from the side.

A shortcoming exists as a result of this overall rectangular configuration. Specifically, the stability of each section of the exercise rack system is dependent on at least the strength of the attachments at both ends of each top member to the side support bars. This problem may be intensified by the fact that the strength of the attachments is affected by use of the exercise rack system and also by disassembly and reassembly of the exercise rack system. Moreover, the rectangular shape itself may lead to instability. A further shortcoming exists as a result of this overall rectangular configuration. Specifically, the rectangular shape necessitates a certain number of parts which adds weight and volume to the collection of parts for an unassembled exercise rack system, and also necessitates a certain amount of material for an exercise rack system.

In light of the foregoing and other shortcomings in the art, it is desirable to provide an improved exercise rack system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It is an aspect of the invention to provide a more stable exercise rack system.

It is a further aspect of the invention to provide an exercise rack system having fewer component parts, thereby requiring lower quantities of raw materials.

According to an aspect of the invention, an A-frame exercise rack system is provided. The A-frame exercise rack system includes a plurality of first side support bars, a plurality of second side support bars, a at least one top bar, and a plurality of connection joints. Each of the plurality of connection joints includes a first plate, a third plate, and a second plate. The first plate includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate. The third plate includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate. The first and third plates may be parallel relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top bar channel. The first and second support bar plates of the first and third plates may be parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first and third plates thereby defining spaces for receiving first and second side support bars.

According to another aspect of the invention, an A-frame exercise rack system is provided. The A-frame exercise rack system may include a connection joint. The connection joint may include a first plate, a third plate, and a second plate. The first plate includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate. The third plate includes first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate. The first and third plates may be parallel relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top bar channel. The first and second support bar plates of the first and third plates may be parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first and third plates thereby defining spaces for receiving first and second side support bars.

According to another aspect of the invention, an A-frame exercise rack system assembly method is provided. A first of a plurality of first side support bars may be connected to a first of a plurality of connection joints. A first of a plurality of second side support bars may be attached to the first of the plurality of connection joints. The first of the plurality of first side support bars, the first of the plurality of connection joints, and the first of the plurality of second side support bars together define a first single section of the A-frame exercise rack system. A second of the plurality of first side support bars may be connected to a second of the plurality of connection joints. A second of the plurality of second side support bars may be attached to the second of the plurality of connection joints. The second of the plurality of first side support bars, the second of the plurality of connection joints, and the second of the plurality of second side support bars together define a second single section of the A-frame exercise rack system. A top bar may connect the first single section of the A-frame exercise rack system to the second single section of the A-frame exercise rack system.

The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a related art exercise rack system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an A-frame exercise rack system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 frontal view of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection joint according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the connection joint of FIG. 6 attached to a section of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2 serving as an end section and also to a top bar.

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the connection joint of FIG. 6 attached to a section of the A-frame exercise rack system of FIG. 2 serving as a middle section and also to two top bars.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the assembly of a section of an A-frame exercise rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the assembly of an A-frame exercise rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-I are schematic representations of an A-frame exercise rack system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

As used in the description of this application, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” may refer to one or more than one of an element (e.g., item or act). Similarly, a particular quantity of an element may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the element may differ. The terms “and” and “or” may be used in the conjunctive or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be equivalent to “and/or”. Elements from an embodiment may be combined with elements of another. No element used in the description of this application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Further, when an element is described as “connected,” “coupled,” or otherwise linked to another element, it may be directly linked to the other element, or intervening elements may be present.

An embodiment of the present invention may provide an A-frame exercise rack system. The A-frame exercise rack system has an overall triangular shape or A-Frame shape when viewed from a side. Triangular sections of the A-frame exercise rack system may be connected to each other thereby forming a triangular prism.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an A-frame exercise rack system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 frontal view of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a top view of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2.

A section of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 may include two side support bars 202. The support bars 202 may each include a base 203 at one end. In contrast to the related art exercise rack system, a section of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 may omit a connection bar member and instead include a connection joint 204. The side support bars 202 may conceptually form the sides of a triangle, and a floor surface may conceptually form the bottom of the triangle. Second and additional sections of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 (each including side support bars 202 and a connection joint 204) may be connected by a top bar 206 and pull-up bars 208. The multiple sections of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 may form a triangular prism having the overall triangular shape when viewed from the side (FIG. 3).

The pull-up bars 208 may provide additional strength and rigidity to the A-frame exercise rack system 200. A user may grip the pull-up bars 208 for purposes of performing pull-up exercises. Alternative exercise rack system components may be added to the A-frame exercise rack system 200.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connection joint 204 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connection joint 204 may include a first plate 602 and a third plate 606 connected by a second plate 604. The first and third plates 602, 606 may be parallel relative to each other, and perpendicular relative to the second plate 604 thereby defining a top bar channel 608. The first, second, and third plates 602, 604, 606 may be integral and formed by bending a single piece of metal.

The connection joint 204 may include first and second support bar plates 610, 612 extending outwardly and downwardly from both the first and third plates 602, 606. Edges of the first and second support bar plates 610, 612 may be welded to the first and third plates 602, 606. The first and second support bar plates may be parallel to each other, and perpendicular relative to the first and third plates. Although edges of the first and second support bar plates are shown as being welded to the first and third plates, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, each first and second support bar plate may be connected by a perpendicular connection plate formed from the same piece of metal as the first and second support bar plates. The connection plate may be attached (e.g., welded or bolted) to the first and third plates 602, 606. In a further alternative embedment, the first, second, and third plates 602, 604, 606 and both sets of the first and second support bar plates 610, 612 may all be formed as a single integral unit, such as by metal casting.

The second plate 604 of the connection joint 204 may include two top bar holes 614. The first and second support bar plates 610, 612 may include two support bar holes 616. As discussed below, bolts, nuts, and washers may be used with the top bar holes 614 and support bar holes 616 to attach side support bars 202 and one or more top bars 206 to the connection joint 204. A top bar plate 210 may include two top bar holes. FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the connection joint 204 of FIG. 6 attached to a section of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2 serving as an end section and also to a single top bar 206. FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the connection joint 204 of FIG. 6 attached to a section of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 of FIG. 2 serving as a middle section and also to two top bars 206. The number and configuration of sections may be varied according to application needs. For example, FIGS. 11A-I are schematic representations of an A-frame exercise rack system 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention including a number of sections.

All or part of the A-frame exercise rack system may be formed of metal. For example, the connection joint may be formed of one or more pieces of flat steel that may be bent into a desired shape. Although, for example, the connection joint is described as being formed of bent flat steel, the invention is not so limited. For example, in an alternative embodiment, all or part of the modular squat stand system may be formed of alternative materials.

A method of assembling an A-frame exercise rack system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, which are schematic representations of the assembly of an A-frame exercise rack system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, two side support bars 202 are attached to a connection joint 204 to form a section of an A-frame exercise rack system 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A top end of a side support bar 202 may be placed in-between the first and second support bar plates 610, 612. Bolts 902 may be inserted through washers 904, support bar holes 616, holes of the side support bar 202, second support bar holes 616, second washers 906 (e.g., spring lock washers), and fastened to nuts 908. This process may be repeated for a second side support bar 202. Upon completion of attachment of the two side support bars 202 to the connection joint 204, the assembly of the section of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 may be complete.

Referring to FIG. 10, two or more sections of the A-frame exercise rack system 200 are attached to form the A-frame exercise rack system 200. A first end of a top bar 206 may be placed in the top bar channel 608 of a connection joint 204. Specifically, the first end of the top bar 206 may be placed along half of the length of the top bar channel 608. For an end section, the remaining length of the top bar channel 608 may be left empty. For a middle section, the remaining length of the top bar channel 608 may receive a second end of a second top bar 206. Bolts 902 may be inserted through washers 904, top bar holes 614 of the top bar plate, hole(s) of the top bar 206, second top bar holes 614, second washers 906, and fastened to nuts 908. A second end of the top bar 206 may similarly be placed in a top bar channel 608 of a second connection joint 204. This process may be repeated for any number of sections to be added to the A-frame exercise rack system.

According to embodiments of the present invention, an A-frame exercise rack system may be provided. The A-frame exercise rack system may provide a number of advantages over the related art exercise rack systems. For instance, the stability of the A-frame exercise rack system may be improved due to the overall triangular shape of the A-frame exercise rack system. Further, the A-frame exercise rack system may require fewer component parts, thereby requiring lower quantities of raw materials.

The foregoing description discloses only exemplary embodiments of the invention. Modifications of the above-disclosed embodiments of the present invention which fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, although in some embodiments, assembly of sections is described before connection of the sections, assembly operations may be performed in a different order. For example, multiple connection joints may be connected by multiple top bars first. Thereafter, side support bars may be attached to the multiple connection joints. Although in some embodiments, a top bar may be placed along half of a length of a top bar channel, the top bar may be placed along varying lengths of the top bar channel. For example, the top bar may be placed along an entire length of the top bar channel of an end section instead of only half of the length of the top bar channel.

Accordingly, although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 

1. An A-frame exercise rack system, comprising: a plurality of first side support bars; a plurality of second side support bars; at least one top bar; and a plurality of connection joints, each comprising: a first plate including first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate; a second plate; and a third plate including first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate, wherein the first and third plates are parallel relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top bar channel for receiving the at least one top bar, wherein the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first plate thereby defining a space for receiving one of the plurality of first side support bars, and wherein the first and second support bar plates of the third plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the third plate thereby defining a space for receiving one of the plurality of second side support bars.
 2. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 1, wherein an assembled set of one of the plurality of first side support bars, one of the plurality of second side support bars, and one of the plurality of connection joints define a single section of the A-frame exercise rack system.
 3. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 2, wherein the one of the plurality of first side support bars extends outwardly and downwardly from the first plate of the one of the plurality of connection joints, and wherein the one of the plurality of second side support bars extends outwardly and downwardly from the third plate of the one of the plurality of connection joints, thereby defining a triangular shape.
 4. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 3, wherein a first of the plurality of connection joints is connected to a second of the plurality of connection joints by the at least one top bar thereby joining a first single section and a second single section.
 5. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 4, wherein the first single section and the second single section define a triangular prism.
 6. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 1, wherein edges of the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are welded to the first plate, and wherein edges of the first and second support bar plates of the third plate are welded to the third plate.
 7. An A-frame exercise rack system, comprising: a connection joint, comprising: a first plate including first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate; a second plate; and a third plate including first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate, wherein the first and third plates are parallel relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top bar channel for receiving a top bar, wherein the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first plate thereby defining a space for receiving a first side support bar, and wherein the first and second support bar plates of the third plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the third plate thereby defining a space for receiving a second side support bar.
 8. The A-frame exercise rack system of claim 7, wherein edges of the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are welded to the first plate, and wherein edges of the first and second support bar plates of the third pate are welded to the third plate.
 9. An A-frame exercise rack system assembly method, comprising: connecting a first of a plurality of first side support bars to a first of a plurality of connection joints; connecting a first of a plurality of second side support bars to the first of the plurality of connection joints, where the first of the plurality of first side support bars, the first of the plurality of connection joints, and the first of the plurality of second side support bars together define a first single section of the A-frame exercise rack system; connecting a second of the plurality of first side support bars to a second of the plurality of connection joints; connecting a second of the plurality of second side support bars to the second of the plurality of connection joints, where the second of the plurality of first side support bars, the second of the plurality of connection joints, and the second of the plurality of second side support bars together define a second single section of the A-frame exercise rack system; and connecting the first single section of the A-frame exercise rack system to the second single section of the A-frame exercise rack system by a top bar.
 10. The A-frame exercise rack system assembly method of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of connection joints each comprise: a first plate including first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the first plate; a second plate; and a third plate including first and second support bar plates extending outwardly and downwardly from the third plate, wherein the first and third plates are parallel relative to each other and perpendicular relative to the second plate thereby defining a top bar channel for receiving the top bar, wherein the first and second support bar plates of the first plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the first plate thereby defining a space for receiving one of the plurality of first side support bars, and wherein the first and second support bar plates of the third plate are parallel to each other and perpendicular relative to the third plate thereby defining a space for receiving one of the plurality of second side support bars. 